My Coyote Ugly Life

by Jessica Spoon

  When I was lying there in his arms last night right before I fell asleep, I was truly relaxed for the first time in a long time. I felt safe, for some odd reason. I can’t explain these feelings, nor do I understand them. I just know that is how I felt.

  I start when my mom comes in the doorway and says, “Where’d Chief Cole go?”

  “He had to leave, Mom,” I partially lie. It doesn’t really count since it’s only by omission. She doesn’t need those details.

  “Ree…” she says warningly and studies me.

  “Mom, just let it go please?” I ask her sounding as exhausted as I feel.

  “Okay. C’mon, I’ve got coffee on and then we’ll go to breakfast.”

  “Sounds good,” I smile at her.

  I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth, go to the kitchen and have a cup of coffee with my mom and then we go to breakfast after I shower and change clothes.

  ChapterFive

  Under Duress

  “I was wondering when you were going to come see me!” Josephine Jacobson says as Mom and I walk into her diner.

  Josie is a single mom to Ryder Jacobson who is a couple years older than me. He was also Kota’s One Great Love. The One That Got Away. I know she still misses him, but we never talk about him, as an unspoken rule, so I haven’t known what he was up to in years. Last I’d heard he was overseas in Iraq, but that was six years ago, so he could be anywhere by now.

  Josie had Ryder when she was seventeen and her and his dad, Cal, got married after high school and stayed together until Ryder was six, then he ran off to go be a bull rider out west somewhere. No one has heard from him since, but you can tell that Josie really loved him. She used to get this sad and far off look on her face like she was thinking about the past.

  Josie soldiered on and raised a great guy in Ryder. She opened the diner, Josie’s Café, when Ryder was ten and has been able to keep it going all this time.

  “Hey Mrs. Jacobson!” I greet her as we walk to a booth in the back. “How’s it going?” I ask as we sit down.

  Josie’s Café has a dozen red topped tables along with half a dozen booths that run along the windows. There’s a counter at the back left of the place with red stools that sit in front of the kitchen window and cash register. The place is about half full; mostly the retirees or farmers in for their daily gossip and coffee. There are nineteen forties ads of the war and products that were for sale back then that are framed and hanging on the walls that are painted that muted ugly green color with pale yellow accents, but it somehow makes it kickass and unique.

  Josie comes over to our table, leans down and gives me a hug. I hug her back and she says, “We’ve missed your shenanigans around here, Ree,” as she straightens back up.

  I let out a laugh, “Well I’m glad to be back to provide entertainment.”

  “So are we,” she laughs. “You ladies know what you want or do you need menus?”

  “Is the menu the same?” I smile and raise my eyebrows to her.

  “What do you think?” she asks, hand on her hip.

  “Pancake, eggs and bacon. Milk and coffee,” I tell her.

  “Got it,” she says without writing anything down. I don’t worry. The woman remembers everything. “Your usual, Sandy?” she asks my mom.

  See?

  “Yep,” my mom answers.

  “Be right back ladies.” She takes off and gives our order to the cook.

  “Hey, Ree!” I hear and turn my head to the main area of the diner and see Jimmy Philips smiling at me.

  Jimmy is one of the old guys that has been old for about two decades and whose looks haven’t changed. He likes to sit out on the benches on the street and watch what is happening in the town and then announce it in a public place. He’s the biggest male gossip I’ve ever met.

  And I know I’m his next victim.

  “Yeah, Jimmy?” I ask back.

  “Sure did enjoy that show of you and Chief Cole out on the street yesterday morning,” he smiles at me.

  All eyes in the place were on him while he was talking and when he finished they all turned to me.

  “Well, that is why I moved back to Belton. I’m here for your enjoyment,” I quip, adding cream and sugar to the coffee Josie just set down in front of me with a sympathetic smile on her face.

  I’m used to this, though. I’ve always been a bit crazy and all the gossips in town like to talk about the younger generations and how they are going to ruin the future of America, therefore, I’ve been a subject on many Sunday mornings here at Josie’s.

  “Thank the Lord! I thought I was going to die of boredom without you! I about had a coronary when I heard you were coming back to town, such was my excitement,” Jimmy tells me.

  “I knew I served a purpose on this earth,” I smile and take a drink of coffee. “Just never thought it would be so rewarding.”

  “Thought he was gonna kiss you right there on the street!” He throws his head back and laughs loud.

  “Not likely,” I deadpan, shaking my head and more than a bit embarrassed (and pissed off at Grayson for that).

  “Fifty bucks says you send him running for the hills,” he laughs.

  “One can only hope,” I laugh at him and everybody else in the place joins in, knowing that Jimmy is just joking around.

  “Be a shame,” Keith Robinson (one of Jimmy’s friends) joins in. “That boy is a good Chief. Maybe you could let him stay awhile?” he smiles.

  “No promises, Keith,” I smile back, setting my coffee down. “But I’m not as wild anymore, so the streets of Belton should be safe for a bit longer.”

  “Girl, you were born wild and will forever be wild,” Josie chimes in.

  “Mrs. Jacobson! I thought you’d have my back?” I ask, placing my hand over my heart, faking astonishment.

  She smiles at me, “Ree, girl, you know I love you to pieces, but you would chew that boy up and spit him out.”

  I laugh, hard and loud, “I suppose you’re right. I guess it’s a good thing he’s just an acquaintance then.”

  “Really?” Mrs. Curry says, an edge of venom to her voice. “Then why was his truck at your house late last night?” There’s an audible gasp throughout the room and all eyes turn to me. Shit. “And I saw him leave your house this morning when I went to get the paper.” Another gasp throughout the group. Bernadette Curry always was a nasty ‘ol biddy.

  Shit, Ree. Think fast.

  “Everyone protects and serves in their own way, Mrs. Curry.” I shrug my shoulders and pick my coffee back up. “Apparently Chief Cole specializes in helping you to continue your endeavor to be the town rip.”

  All the patrons chuckle and go back to their breakfast after a couple more jabs thrown my way, except Mrs. Curry who gives me a nasty look, gets up, pays her bill and leaves.

  I shouldn’t speak like that to my elders, but she will just keep going until someone puts her in her place.

  “Thought that crotchety ‘ol bird was never gonna leave,” Jimmy says to all of us, making us laugh again.

  “Honey, you always did have a way with the people in this town,” Mom says once the laughter dies down, a smile on her face.

  Josie sets our food in front of us and I spread the butter around my pancakes, not adding syrup. I can’t stand syrup on my pancakes. Don’t ask me why, I’ve just never liked it.

  Just then, Kota and Malia walk in. I raise my arm and wave to them. They come over and scoot into the booth with Mom and I.

  “What’d we miss?” Malia asks.

  “What do you mean?” I plaster an innocent look on my face.

  “Can it, sister,” Kota says and looks at my mom.

  “Well… I walked in on Ree and Chief Cole sleeping in her bed this morning,” both of their heads jerk towards me and I scrunch my shoulders up and avoid their eyes, “then Ree provided the morning entertainment yesterday when her and Chief Cole apparently had some kind of tiff on the street.” Only my mother would describe that as a ‘tiff’. Of course
she doesn’t know the details. “Then she provided more entertainment this morning by making Bernadette Curry mad and storm out of the diner.”

  Kota throws her head back and laughs, “Jesus, Ree! Leave it to you!”

  Malia giggles, dropping her head.

  “Whatever,” I roll my eyes and continue to eat. Josie comes over and gets Kota and Malia’s orders and brings them back a short while later, while I fill everybody in on the so called ‘tiff’ yesterday.

  The plates have been cleared and we’re sitting and visiting with different people that come up to welcome me back to town when it happens. I wasn’t prepared. I had no idea and somebody should really warn you about this shit!

  The door to the diner opens and my head turns to look to see who is going to be coming up and reminiscing with me next. But instead of seeing one of the few people left who I remember from back in the day, in walks four Belton Police Officers; recognizable

  by the badge each of them have pinned to their jeans along with a gun holster.

  I was taking a drink of my coffee and immediately choke on it, spewing it everywhere. And I mean everywhere. All over my mom, Malia, Kota, and poor Mrs. Yates (owner of Belton Inn & Spa).

  The reason for this is twofold.

  First, let’s face it. I don’t have a good track record with cops in Belton and I have an even worse track record with extremely hot, panties up in flames, melt in your mouth sexy as fuck cops. Second, they are extremely hot, panties up in flames, melt in your mouth sexy as fuck cops!

  “What the hell?!” I cry out, eyes wide, coffee held in front of my face. “What’s the deal with the ‘Gina Quiver Squad?” I ask my friends, not realizing how loud my voice is.

  All of their heads turn my way, making me realize how loud I was, and the heat of their combined stare is so hot I have a sudden urge to go change my underwear (or throw it at them). A smile forms on all of their faces and I really have to work at not panting at that moment.

  “Hey Ree,” the blonde one nods at me, causing me to jerk in my seat.

  “What the hell…” I breathe out.

  “Guess Chief Cole is a bit of a gossip himself,” my mother says causing me to look at her.

  “What?”

  “Nothing,” she answers me, trying to hide her smile by taking a sip of coffee.

  “Well smack my ass and call me bacon!” I jump and look at the door to see Jerald Taylor standing there with a police badge on the belt of his jeans. A massive smile spreads across my face and my eyes get wide. “Azaria Gable is home! Get over here you crazy bitch!”

  Jerald Taylor was one of my close friends in high school. We went our separate ways after, but last I’d heard he was going to law school at Columbia. Jerald was rather awkward looking through high school, too tall and skinny, but it appears that now he has buffed up. He’s still tall but he’s huge. Pure muscle all around.

  “Jer!” I squeal and jump out of the booth, over Malia and run full tilt for him. I jump when I’m a couple feet from him, launching myself into his arms. “Oh my God! I’ve missed you!” I wrap my arms around his huge shoulders and my legs around his waist, clinging on like a monkey. “You’re a cop now?” I ask him leaning back, my arms and legs still around him.

  “Yeah. Couldn’t stand law school. Too pretentious for me,” he scrunches up his nose.

  I could totally see that. Jer was always so laid back and easy going. I never could see him as a lawyer, but I figured he could master some kind of sneak attack. Opposing council wouldn’t know what hit ‘em.

  “So you thought you should protect and serve?” I throw my head back laughing. Jer was one who was by my side a lot of the time in my wilder days. Most of the time he was there to help bail me out of a sticky situation.

  “Hey! I do alright.”

  “I’m sure you’re an amazing cop, Jer,” I tell him seriously then smile big and slap his shoulders as he supports my weight, “I can’t believe you’re here though! How awesome!”

  “Me? I’ve been hearing about you all morning,” he raises his brows at me.

  “Ugh. Not much changed there,” I roll my eyes.

  “Nope. Still the same crazy Ree.”

  “Whose ass you have your hands on for what reason…?” We both look to my left to see Grayson standing there with a very unhappy look on his face.

  “Er…” Jer stalls.

  “Jer’s an old friend,” I answer, loosen my legs and drop them.

  “And you’re wrapped around him because…?” he continues once I step back from Jer, his jaw clenching and arms crossed.

  “I was happy to see him,” I shrug.

  “Ree…” he says warningly.

  I look around the diner to see all eyes on us (of course) then look back to Grayson, “Can we go outside to do this?” I ask quietly and Jer chuckles. Grayson’s eyes cut to him, but he only laughs harder.

  He grabs my arm and pulls me outside. Once we’re about a block away he says, “What the hell, Ree?”

  “What?” I raise my brows and widen my eyes.

  “Is he one of your ‘one month’ guys?” My head jerks back like I’ve been slapped, “How dare you!” I hiss at him. “Jer has been a friend since freshman year of high school and I already told you, though it’s none of your business, that I don’t sleep with anyone from Belton.”

  “Yeah, not since high school,” he crosses his arms.

  “No. I haven’t dated anyone from Belton since high school. I’ve never slept with someone from Belton,” I snap.

  “Was that scene really necessary?” he nods his head back towards the diner.

  “It would have been fine if you hadn’t acted like a Neanderthal and dragged me out of there. Now everyone is going to be gossiping even more about us. Do you know that’s all I’ve done all morning, is field rumors about the two of us?” I cross my arms over my chest and pop a hip out. Assuming Threat Level Orange Attitude Stance.

  Grayson’s face softens with a hint of a smile, “Good.”

  “Good?” He is unbelievable!

  “Yeah,” his posture relaxes and he moves closer.

  “What do you mean ‘good’?” I eye him speculatively.

  “I mean, the more people are talking, the more they are going to want to tell me about you. The more I learn about you, the better I get to know you, since you don’t want to give me that information.” He takes another step closer. “Do you want to get to know me?” he asks, dropping his voice.

  My brain short circuits noticing only the way his mouth moves. The way it forms the words; his lips so full. I know those lips can be hard and consuming, but the way he speaks so softly I wonder if they can also be soft, and tender. I would really like to know what they feel like gently coaxing me, not demanding, but requesting.

  “Ree,” he whispers and steps even closer. I feel his hand on my hip and his head drops a fraction, coming closer.

  “What?” I jerk back, my eyes moving to his, somehow remembering that all of Belton probably has their noses pressed against the glass of Josie’s Café.

  Grayson isn’t deterred and he tightens his hand on my hip, keeping me close, “Have dinner with me?” he asks quietly and softly, pulling me back under his spell. “Get to know me.”

  “Okay,” I breathe out, again staring at his mouth.

  Wait. What? My eyes shoot to his, panicked that I agreed, and see him smiling.

  “I’ll pick you up tomorrow night at seven,” he tells me still smiling.

  “Er, Chief?”

  “Right here Ree.”

  “Isn’t there some law about coercion? I feel like I’ve been played,” I inform him trying to fight against the daze of Sexy Chief Grayson Cole.

  His face gets serious and he looks hard into my eyes, making me swallow hard, “Ree. One thing I will never do is play you. Do you understand?”

  I jerk my head in a few quick nods, “Gotcha.”

  “Good. Tomorrow night. Don’t back out. I know where to find you,” he smiles and drop
s his head, brushes his lips against mine and raises his head back up. “I really wish we didn’t have an audience.”

  “Shit,” I say and drop my head. He’s standing so close to me that my forehead hits his chest. His hand moves up under my hair and he squeezes my neck, pulling me closer and wrapping his other arm around me. My hands grab onto his jacket. It’s then I notice he’s wearing jeans, boots, a plain navy blue shirt and a tan blazer. “You look nice,” I blurt out and hear him chuckle. “What?” I raise my head up to look at him. “You do. This is a good look for you.”

  “Jesus, you’re a goof,” he says (I think oddly) and smiles at me.

  “Why am I a goof? I’m just saying it’s a good outfit. Obviously you take care of yourself, you look good and all. I mean you always look good, but you also look good in this.”

  “Babe,” he smiles and doesn’t say anything else, like this is an answer.

  “What?” He throws his head back and laughs. “What!” I stomp my foot and, in the process, jerk on his jacket.

  He smothers his laughter (but not his smile, I might add) and shakes his head at me, “Only you would have me wanting to throw me over my shoulder so that I could take you home and devour you in every way possible,” oh my god, “to shaking with laughter in a matter of seconds.”

  “Oh.” Well that’s nice. I think. It sounds nice and it makes me feel nice. So yeah. It’s nice.

  “Oh,” he repeats, still smiling.

  “You smile a lot,” I note.

  “Jesus. Goof,” he shakes his head.

  “Well, you do.”

  “Only around you, babe.”

  Well that’s even nicer.

  “Oh,” I repeat, stuck in a stupefied suspension of the warm fuzzies and a belly curl so intense that I kind of wish he did throw me over his shoulder and take me home. “So where’s your uniform?” I ask to block out the thoughts of Neanderthal Grayson having his way with me. “And how come none of the other guys,” I nod my head towards the diner, “are in uniform? The cops always used to wear uniforms here.”